Auto opt-in should be outright illegal. Also for all EULAs, every update to it should have a very large section at the beginning that gives very brief summary bullet points of what exactly they want yo to agree to, when you click on a specific bullet point it will take you to said section, AND if you decline said new EULA, you should be able to keep using the service as it is without being forced to agree.
It can scan all it wants to! I only use it as a spam folder. Have fun scanning all those "penis enlargment", "extended car warranty" and "you've won!" spam emails!
...sorry, this is news? Welcome to 2004, they've literally been scanning your email since you gave it to them, how does "AI" somehow make that worse? This is literally what people have been saying about Google for decades. *decades*.
Why wouldn't they be able to scan your shit with these toggles? Don't be so naive, homies. And yes, they can also see your browser history in incognito mode.
Happy to report that another PSA sometime in the last bunch of years already directed me to turn these off, and this one reminded me to check - still off.
Just a heads up, not only will this give you a false sense of security, but previously deleted emails are still on their servers from a decade ago and will also be scanned.
I mean, yeah. Obviously. They literally excised “don’t be evil” from their foundational motto and code of conduct. I’m sure they are doing far, far worse. Problem is…EVERYONE is scanning your emails. We let corporations run amok and now we’re stuck with it because we aren’t going to demand anything better and we sure as hell don’t seem capable of voting for politicians that might make things like this illegal.
Immediately tried this, but reverted it. Disabling "smart features" removes the automatic categories. So spam, reddit notifications, emails I actually care about, all get mixed together. Though I can see why sorting emails into categories requires having a computer read each one.
That depends on what you mean by “embedded.” In any event, the only way you’re truly going to know is to use OSS software and be able to actually go through the code itself. If you can’t do that…you’ll never know what exactly it’s doing nor how it’s doing it.
Found this out when I lost my phone. Tried to use "Find my device" with Google to see its last known location, but I had turned Timeline off in Google maps so it didn't have it.
Well, turned Timeline back on, lo and behold, the phone which according to the site hadn't been on the network in 4 days suddenly had a last known location available. Interesting!
They're just gonna autochange your settings to allow, and then do it before you change it and then proceed to not care because they've already scanned all your shit.
Btw, this isn't new. Sure, wording and the name "AI" are used, but Google has been doing this for awhile. Same with Microsoft and most major software you use.
Also, the box is there for legal reasons, but im pretty sure it doesn't stop them from scanning everything anyway. Since Gmail is an email application, every message must get scanned on inbound for spam/malware and AI is still checking that before delivery to your inbox. You can't stop that, unless you find another mail service.
dude emailed a picture of his son's crotch to their pediatrician with his gmail a few years ago and he was raided by a swat team beat up by the cops and thrown in jail and almost lost his son
By the time you even find out it it's too late, they've already done it. Turning it off means you've told them legally that they can't do it to the new stuff that enters your email but they did it the first day they could. You would needed to have unchecked that box less than a minute after the change went live.
I mean "not quite", but at this point if your content is connected, it's going to be training some AI at some point UNLESS it's opt-in or you opt-out (and EVEN THEN non-PII info is likely passed or will be passed in future).
Your desktop is training copilot and depending on what you're using for spam filtering, maybe. Most use a 3rd party, but some are using Defender on 365.
admiralawesome4213
Auto opt-in should be outright illegal. Also for all EULAs, every update to it should have a very large section at the beginning that gives very brief summary bullet points of what exactly they want yo to agree to, when you click on a specific bullet point it will take you to said section, AND if you decline said new EULA, you should be able to keep using the service as it is without being forced to agree.
Roqinn
It can scan all it wants to! I only use it as a spam folder. Have fun scanning all those "penis enlargment", "extended car warranty" and "you've won!" spam emails!
doctorId
I don't even have the energy to be mad about this
rugmibackward
Instructions are wrong. Step 1 is clear out the promotions and social tabs. when you turn off smart sort, all that crap goes to your inbox
pomax
...sorry, this is news? Welcome to 2004, they've literally been scanning your email since you gave it to them, how does "AI" somehow make that worse? This is literally what people have been saying about Google for decades. *decades*.
atillatari
lol "You are now saved from AI scanning all of your information."
Ttoften
I believe you can "turn it off" as just as well as incognito mode keeps your browsing private...
Gmail is free, we'll free of monetary charge.
IWasACatAllAlong
Why wouldn't they be able to scan your shit with these toggles? Don't be so naive, homies. And yes, they can also see your browser history in incognito mode.
MajorasTerribleFate
Happy to report that another PSA sometime in the last bunch of years already directed me to turn these off, and this one reminded me to check - still off.
chata954
Seems a Lil late for any of this... not like they would ask.... not for real. It probably been done. We cooked yesterday, not tomorrow...
DamnedIfYouDo
Meh, I don't care anymore. My porn of choice can sometimes be embarrassing but whatever.
NotTheMamaNotTheMama
Hahahaha I know, right?
helyx
Just a heads up, not only will this give you a false sense of security, but previously deleted emails are still on their servers from a decade ago and will also be scanned.
Imalwaysready
I mean, yeah. Obviously. They literally excised “don’t be evil” from their foundational motto and code of conduct. I’m sure they are doing far, far worse. Problem is…EVERYONE is scanning your emails. We let corporations run amok and now we’re stuck with it because we aren’t going to demand anything better and we sure as hell don’t seem capable of voting for politicians that might make things like this illegal.
heironymousBonk
I use Proton and I'm pretty sure they're not scanning my emails. but yes, too your general/emotional point.
Sunflier
johnvilnis
Turned off the AI as soon as I noticed it. Probably won’t stop them but at least I tried.
imadethisaccounttotellyouthis
I don't pay anything for my Gmail. I'm the product.
FlatPlutoSociety
The fun thing is that even if you do pay for Google services, they still do this.
stronomer
Surprised face. This is why I don't use GMail.
QuantumInc
Immediately tried this, but reverted it. Disabling "smart features" removes the automatic categories. So spam, reddit notifications, emails I actually care about, all get mixed together. Though I can see why sorting emails into categories requires having a computer read each one.
rossimus
I get that I shouldn't like this but 99% of the email that comes into my Gmail account is spam, and the ones I send are extremely banal.
There's just too much going on to worry about something as low stakes as this.
ForgeZero
or better yet, start sending yourself AI poisoned emails from another address realy fuck em up
kaijuuGold
gmail ai this dude a fucken sick fuck- ai probs
Grapeape2000
For anyone still using Yahoo mail - they also do this and it can't be toggled off.
Kittenman15
"Emails are as private as a postcard" - someone, to me, in the 70s.
NChomsky
Or just don't use google at all. I know, it's a tall order with how parasitic they've become into all of our devices, but still.
evildadunit
if software is free, you are the product
BishlamekGurpgork
That's not to prevent AI from accessing your files. That's to turn off AI driven features.
It's not the same thing.
GrimleyGraves
And if you really think that turns off monitoring I have a bridge to sell you, in Iran.
ShinksAvoHazaar
Starting to think having an off toggle is performative bs. If its embedded in the code it’s still capable of doing it without user knowledge
ProphetofEntropy
unless where you live has laws to enforce the toggle, why would a corp leave money on the table like that?
SwiftyGuy
That depends on what you mean by “embedded.” In any event, the only way you’re truly going to know is to use OSS software and be able to actually go through the code itself. If you can’t do that…you’ll never know what exactly it’s doing nor how it’s doing it.
xlr82xs
It disables you using the feature, not your data being used to train the llm
GeneralAnubis
Found this out when I lost my phone. Tried to use "Find my device" with Google to see its last known location, but I had turned Timeline off in Google maps so it didn't have it.
Well, turned Timeline back on, lo and behold, the phone which according to the site hadn't been on the network in 4 days suddenly had a last known location available. Interesting!
NotTryingAnymore
The illusion of autonomy, everyone's favorite version of autonomy! Or is it...? Dun DunDUUUNNNN!!
akafluffy
They're just gonna autochange your settings to allow, and then do it before you change it and then proceed to not care because they've already scanned all your shit.
Sorrontis
yay. it turns off spell checker and grammar... because of course THOSE require AI. fuck googly
Jagshusband
Weight, arre yoo seeryus?
SavageDrums
Those have both clearly gotten substantially worse since "AI" was introduced.
Because "AI" is fucking awful at everything.
yuugian
Spell check is built into most browsers anyway. These don't override that
Sorrontis
well, probably. still stupid I have to deal with ai
yuugian
Absolutely. And i just checked that mine still works
kraeftig
it also pretends to not know your saved addresses on maps between phone/pc
SwiftyGuy
What do you mean “pretends not to know”? What’s your proof?
kraeftig
It worked until turning off those settings, then when turning them back on it works again.
Bojovnik84
Btw, this isn't new. Sure, wording and the name "AI" are used, but Google has been doing this for awhile. Same with Microsoft and most major software you use.
Also, the box is there for legal reasons, but im pretty sure it doesn't stop them from scanning everything anyway. Since Gmail is an email application, every message must get scanned on inbound for spam/malware and AI is still checking that before delivery to your inbox. You can't stop that, unless you find another mail service.
FelonyRaptor
This is so old I apparently have already done it at some point, but didn't remember doing it.
TripleDane
If you handed over you date to somebody else is is no longer your data...
override367
dude emailed a picture of his son's crotch to their pediatrician with his gmail a few years ago and he was raided by a swat team beat up by the cops and thrown in jail and almost lost his son
override367
to be clear, its because google called the cops, because google employees just go through your shit as they feel like it
Tesaphine
How have they not been sued into oblivion for it though? Lots of people get medical documents sent to them, isn't that a HIPAA violation?
Bojovnik84
Their terms and conditions have legal liability based in, to keep you from suing them.
HelpfulCorn
HIPAA only applies to medical and insurance personnel. Somebody stealing your medical info and sharing it is not a violation
Rongeong
By the time you even find out it it's too late, they've already done it. Turning it off means you've told them legally that they can't do it to the new stuff that enters your email but they did it the first day they could. You would needed to have unchecked that box less than a minute after the change went live.
Feralkyn
Iirc in Europe it's off by default, by law? I could be wrong but data protection here is no joke
WestieTree5
I'm looking to switch to Proton, seems better but they don't charge
Sarcgasm
I've been with them for over 5 years, works well for me.
WestieTree5
What made you switch? I believe they're encrypted but isn't most emails these days?
Sarcgasm
Email is encrypted and they don't have the keys so can't decrypt it even if they wanted to. They're privacy focused and good at it.
5v4297j9fj1
So my local Exchange server is used by Microsoft to train AI?
BananaForScaIe
I mean "not quite", but at this point if your content is connected, it's going to be training some AI at some point UNLESS it's opt-in or you opt-out (and EVEN THEN non-PII info is likely passed or will be passed in future).
TheDoctorCrankenstein
OverwhelmingSurplusOfDiggity
Ew, who uses local exchange anymore?
Bojovnik84
I do, in a hybrid configuration. Im only still using it for ad management and smtp relay.
5v4297j9fj1
My company does and they are multinational
Bojovnik84
Your desktop is training copilot and depending on what you're using for spam filtering, maybe. Most use a 3rd party, but some are using Defender on 365.
5v4297j9fj1
What if I work offline?
Sonicschilidogs
You receive emails while offline?
Evenmoreuselessname
My coworker prints them out, wads them up, and throws them at the back if my head for me, thankyouverymuch.
5v4297j9fj1
You said ”desktop” so I thought you meant all Microsoft products, but you only meant the Outlook client